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WHYTELEAFE 0 - 1 MERSTHAM
Saturday 16th August 2008
Ryman Division 1 South
Whyteleafe’s start to the 2008/09 season started with disappointment as Merstham sought to maintain the momentum of their form that has elevated them from the Combined Counties League. Some say that Merstham will struggle in their first Ryman League campaign but on this showing they sit very comfortably in the division if not be chasing a play-off spot.
The home side probably had marginally the better possession in the first half but struggled to make any meaningful chances. The visitors however, with their front pairing of former ‘Leafe strikers, Kwabena Agyei and Kevin Lock, carved out some excellent chances.
Whyteleafe’s Paul Scott had the first half-chance of the game in the 8th minute losing his marker to chase down a through ball but Merstham’s keeper Ian Chatfield reacted quickly to smother the ball.
Just a minute later, Agyei very nearly put the visitors ahead, finding himself in space on the edge of the ‘Leafe box he smashed the ball past Rob Tolfrey only to see his effort rebound of the upright to be cleared by the home defence.
Whyteleafe kept to their patient possession football but careless mistakes kept letting the opponents in to make quick attacks. Agyei headed just over the bar in the 16th minute and a daisycutter from Hassan Nyang had to be carefully gathered by Tolfrey.
An excellent Whyteleafe passing move involving Alhajie Jabbie and Jason Goodchild on 27 minutes resulted in a powerful shot from Scott but the strong Merstham defence managed to block the effort which rebounded out for one of ‘Leafe numerous wasted corners.
Agyei’s chance number three came 5 minutes later, this time his shot from the edge of the box went an inch over Tolfrey’s crossbar. But on the 41st minute his luck was to change. Again Agyei managed to shake off his marker, latch onto a through ball from Nyang and blasted another powerful shot from the corner of the box. This time his aim was perfect and Tolfrey had no chance to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.
The second half was disappointing and particularly for the home supporters whose side rapidly ran out of ideas. The half belonged almost completely to Merstham who had several chances to extend their lead including a 65th minute effort from a corner which had to be cleared off the line-up and a calamitous mix up in the ‘Leafe defence which left Tolfrey stranded in no-mansland while David Smith poked the ball just wide of the far post.
Whyteleafe rallied late in the match making Merstham work for their three points. Substitute Chris Lapierre had two good shots on goal: one which went just wide and one from 25 yards which just cleared Chatfield’s bar but Merstham were worthy winners when the final whistle came.
Whyteleafe: Tolfrey, Hudson, McNamara, Reeve, Broomhead, Goodchild, Castrechino (Barry), Smith, Rivers (Lapierre), Scott, Jabbie. Other subs: Williams, Kabongo, Riley.
NB. click on thumbnail for full size picture
Jabbie and Rivers |
Carlo Castrechino |
Paul Scott |
Goodchild and Jabs |
Rob Tolfrey |
Rivers and Scotty |
Robbie Smith |
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